Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Yusuf
Name of Surah Joseph
This surah is called Surah of Joseph. It is called so because it mentions the story of Joseph. His story has not been mentioned in any other surah in the Quran. Joseph’s name has been mentioned in this surah, and surah al-An’am ‘the Cattle’ and surah Ghafir ‘the Forgiving.’ Surah Joseph was revealed in Mecca, and it contains one hundred and eleven ayah.
Main Theme of Surah Joseph
Surah Joseph, just like Meccy surahs, focuses on the creed of the Oneness of Allah, Exalted be He. It confirms that worship is only due to Allah. It refers to issues related to the Divine Lordship, and names and attributes of Allah, such as referring to the fact that judgment belongs only to Allah when Joseph interpreted the dream of the two prisoners, and that all gods worshipped besides Allah are false.
Relationship between Surah Joseph and Surah Hud
Allah, Exalted be He, confirms, in surah Hud, which comes before surah Joseph according to the arrangement of the written copy of the Quran, that the Quran is the speech of Allah and that it is excellently clear and precise. He, Exalted be He, mentions some stories of His messengers in surah Hud, such as the story of Hud, Salih, Noah, Lot, Moses. Thus, it was suitable to mention the story of Joseph after mentioning their stories.
General Introduction to Surah Joseph
It was reported that the companions of Messenger Muhammad were once bored. They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Tell us a narration.’ Thus, Allah revealed, [Allah revealed the best speech, a book consisting of similarity and repetition. The skins of those fear their Lord shiver when hearing it. And then their skins and hearts soften at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah whereby He guides whomever He wills. And whomever Allah leaves astray, for him there is no guide.] [Surah az-Zumar: 23] Once again, they got bored, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Tell us something that is more than an ordinary narration, but not like the Quran, i.e. stories. Then Allah revealed, [Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the ayat of the clear Book. Indeed, We have revealed it as an Arabic Quran that you may understand. We relate to you the best of stories by revealing this Quran to you though before its revelation you were unaware of them.] [Surah Joseph: 1-3] The companions of Messenger Muhammad asked for a narration, so Allah revealed the best narration, and they asked for stories, so Allah revealed the best story.
It was said that surah Joseph was revealed during a critical period of the life of Messenger Muhammad when his uncle Abu Talib and his wife Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, died. This period was called the Year of Sadness, which was considered one of the hardest periods in the life of Messenger Muhammad. During this period, he suffered extreme abuse from the disbelievers. Revealing this Surah during this period was one of the greatest consolations that Allah, Exalted be He, consoled His Messenger Muhammad with. Allah, Exalted be He, informed His Messenger Muhammad about what happened between Joseph and his brothers and the adversity this noble prophet suffered from his brothers.
Surah Joseph is the only surah in the Quran that narrates a complete story with all its scenes. Allah informed Messenger Muhammad that He would narrate to him the best story. And indeed, it is the best story as the scholars of literature say, especially, those specialized in novels. All elements of an excellent story are found in the story of Joseph, such as suspense, using symbols, and logical relationships. It begins with a dream and ends with the interpretation of this dream. It is quite a funny thing that Joseph’s shirt, which Joseph’s brothers used as a means of their innocence, indicated their betrayal. Then it was used as a means of Joseph’s innocence of the accusation of Aziz’s wife. Finally, the shirt was also used as a means for giving good news to his father, Jacob, and it was cast on his face, which led to the restoring of his eyesight.
The reciter of surah Joseph can visualize the events when reciting it, which makes the recitation thereof powerfully affecting. However, the Quran does not mention this story for mere narrating a story; rather, it mentions it for drawing lessons therefrom such as the result of fearing Allah with patience is victory no matter how long the adversity lasts. In other words, the surah says, ‘O believer! Trust Allah and His wise management of this universe’s affairs. Be patient and do not despair. Allah will never deny the good-doers of their reward.’
The story of Joseph progresses in a wondering manner, that is to say, a beautiful matter may end in a sad or bad way, and vice versa. For example, Prophet Joseph was loved by his father, Jacob, which is a beautiful matter; however, the consequence was a painful one, as his brothers threw him into the bottom of a well. Yet, the result of such thing was that he lived in the house of Aziz of Egypt, where he was greatly honored, and this is of course a wonderful matter. However, the end of this beautiful thing was bad as Prophet Joseph was imprisoned. But again, the end of such imprisonment was that Joseph became the Aziz of Egypt himself, which is a beautiful consequence. The goal behind all these events is conveying a message to the believer. It indicates that everything in this universe is controlled by a power, which is greater than your discernment. Thus, a believer should not occupy himself with thinking about how things go. He should leave all matters to the wise Creator, Allah, who will manage everything according to His knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, if the believer encounters frustrating events and does not understand the wisdom behind them, he must not despair or complain; rather, he must trust Allah, the owner of this kingdom, Who manages it in the best manner.
Surah Joseph does not depict Joseph as an inspired prophet; rather, it introduces him as Joseph, an ordinary human being, who lived a very difficult life since childhood, but in the end, he succeeded. It is as if his story tells us that Joseph did not have miracles; rather, he was an ordinary man, who feared Allah. Thus, he succeeded. It is an important lesson for every afflicted believer, and it gives hope to everyone, who seeks to succeed regardless of his bitter life.
Surah Joseph begins by referring to the greatness of the Quran, and that its ayat are Arabic so that people can understand it. [Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the ayat of the clear Book. Indeed, We have revealed it as an Arabic Quran that you may understand.] [Surah Joseph: 1-2]
Then the surah mentions the story of Joseph and the dream he saw and narrated to his father, Prophet Jacob. After that, the surah talks about the first adversity Joseph encountered, i.e. his brothers’ conspiracy against him by throwing him into the bottom of a well. [Mention when Joseph said to his father, ‘O father! I saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon in a dream. I saw them all prostrating before me.’] [Surah Joseph: 4] [They said, ‘Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, while we are a strong group. Indeed, our father is clearly mistaken.’ Kill Joseph, or cast him forth in an unknown land that your father’s loving attention will be for you alone, and you will be after that righteous people.] [Surah Joseph: 8-9]
After that, the surah mentions the second adversity Joseph encountered when he was sold as a slave. He was sold to the Aziz of Egypt and Allah granted him wisdom, knowledge, and ability to interpret the events. In the house of Aziz of Egypt, Joseph faced seductions from the wife of the Aziz. He steadfastly faced these seductions, which caused him to be imprisoned. [They sold him for a paltry price – a few dirhams – and they had been eager to get rid of him.] [Surah Joseph: 20] [Then it occurred to them after they had seen the proofs that they should imprison him for some time.] [Surah Joseph: 35]
Then the surah mentions the story of Joseph with the two prisoners, how he interpreted their dreams and remained in the prison for a number of years. [Two young men entered the prison with him. One of them said, ‘I dreamed that I was pressing grapes to make wine.’ The other said, ‘I dreamed that I was carrying bread on my head that birds were eating thereof.’ Tell us its interpretation. Indeed, we believe you are one of the good-doers.] [Surah Joseph: 36] [He said to one of the two prisoners, whom he knew would be saved, ‘mention me to your master.’ Then Satan made him forget to mention it to his master, and so he remained in the prison for a number of years.] [Surah Joseph: 42]
After that, the surah mentions the dream of the king of Egypt, how Joseph interprets it, how he is released from the prison and is attested to his innocence, and how he has authority in Egypt. [The king said, ‘Indeed, I saw in a dream seven fat cows being eaten by seven weak ones, and seven green ears of corn and seven other dry. O notables! Tell me the interpretation of my dream if you can interpret dreams.’] [Surah Joseph: 43] [Thus, did We establish Joseph in the land. He could settle wherever he willed therein. We grant Our mercy to whomever We will, and We shall not deny the good-doers of their reward. [Surah Joseph: 56]
Then the surah mentions how Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food because famine befell their country, that they did not know Joseph, and that Joseph asked them to bring their young brother, Benjamin, with them in their next journey; otherwise, they would not have food. [Then Joseph’s brothers came and entered his court. He knew them, but they did not know him.] [Q12:58] [When he provided them with their provisions, he said, ‘Bring me your paternal brother. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of hosts?’] [Surah Joseph: 59]
Then the surah mentions the second visit of Joseph’s brothers to Egypt after convincing their father to send Benjamin with them, accusing Benjamin of stealing the measuring bowl of the king, and Jacob’s suffering great adversity by losing his two sons, which caused him extreme sadness. [When they entered as their father ordered them, he could not ward off them anything Allah decreed, but an urge in Jacob’s heart that he satisfied. Indeed, he possessed knowledge that We taught him, but most people do not know.] [Surah Joseph: 68] [He turned away from them. And he said, ‘O my grief over Joseph!’ His eyes turned white because of sadness, and he suppressed his grief.] [Surah Joseph: 84]
After that the surah narrates how Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for the third time, Joseph’s introducing himself to his brothers, sending Joseph’s shirt to his father, and the coming of Jacob’s family to Egypt and meeting Joseph. Finally, Joseph’s dream came true by the prostration of his father, mother, and brothers before him [prostration of greeting not worship, which is due only to Allah, Exalted be He.] [When they entered Joseph’s court, they said, ‘O Aziz ! Adversity has befallen us and our families, and we have brought poor quality goods. Thus, give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, Allah rewards the charitable people.’] [Surah Joseph: 88] [He raised his parents on the throne, and they prostrated themselves before him. He said, ‘O my father! This the interpretation of my dream of long ago. Indeed, my Lord has made it come true. Indeed, He did me a favor when He released me from the prison and brought you from the desert after Satan stirred enmity between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is subtly kind for what He wills. Indeed, He the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’][Surah Joseph: 100]
Finally, the surah is concluded with clarifying that the Quran does not contain fabricated narrations. It is the revelation that Allah revealed to His Messenger Muhammad. It contains a detailed explanation of everything man needs in the worldly life and the Hereafter as well as it is guidance and mercy for the believers. [Indeed, there were lessons in their stories for those endowed with sound understanding. Never was it a fabricated narration, but confirmation of what was before it, a detailed clarification of all things, guidance, and mercy for people who believe.] [Surah Joseph: 111]
Here are some of the characteristics of surah Joseph:
• It presents facts and lessons through dialogue, discussions, and arguments. This method adds an interesting presentation to the topics discussed in the surah. Moreover, this method of presenting facts and ideas helps the reciter of the Quran to memorize it, reflect on its meanings, and benefit from its lessons. Some of which are as follows:
1) The dialogue that took place among Joseph’s brothers about how to get rid of him. [They said, ‘Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, while we are a strong group. Indeed, our father is clearly mistaken.’ Kill Joseph, or cast him forth in an unknown land that your father’s loving attention will be for you alone, and you will be after that righteous people. One of them said, ‘Do not kill Joseph, but throw him into the bottom of a well. Some travelers may pick him up - if you would do that deed.’] [Surah Joseph: 8-10]
2) The dialogue that took place between Joseph and his brothers when he knew them, but they did not recognize him, and when they came to Egypt for obtaining provisions for their families. [When they entered Joseph’s court, they said, ‘O Aziz! Adversity has befallen us and our families, and we have brought poor quality goods. Thus, give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, Allah rewards the charitable people.’ He said, ‘Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?’ They said, ‘Are you indeed Joseph?’ He said, ‘I am Joseph and this is my brother. Indeed, Allah has bestowed His bounty on us. Indeed, whoever fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah never denies the good-doers their rewards.’ They said, ‘By Allah! Indeed, Allah has favored you over us. Indeed, we have been sinful.’ He said, ‘No reproach this day will be on you. May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.’[Surah Joseph: 88 -92]
• The surah focuses on presenting the main events and facts of the story. As for the details of the story, it leaves them to the reader’s imagination, cleverness, understanding, and the extent of his ability to reflect on the speech of Allah, Exalted be He. This method of presenting events and facts is known as conciseness using omission. It is a highly eloquent manner of expression. For example, [They brought his shirt stained with false blood. Jacob said, ‘Rather your souls enticed you to do a grave matter. So my patience will be with no complaint. Allah alone is sought for help concerning your claim.’] [Surah Joseph:18] The understood meaning of this ayah is that Joseph’s brothers threw Joseph in the bottom of a well. Then they brought their father a shirt stained with false blood to deceive him. This method of presenting events and facts motivates the minds to think and reflect on what they read as well as it helps them learn lessons and benefit from the admonitions. This is the most fitting method of narrating a story of one of the prophets of Allah, which requires concentration on the most important events, not the secondary details.
• The surah greatly takes care of describing the states of the human’s soul and analyzing its reactions, whether when pleased and angry, righteous and wicked, rich and poor, going through hardship and enjoying blessing, or being malicious and kind and harmless. It adequately describes the characters of the story and truthfully shows different aspects of their ethics, behaviors, inclinations, disposition, and ideas.
• It satisfactorily speaks about Joseph, the main character of the story to the extent that enables us to imagine him, and his virtues and merits. For example, it mentions his ability to control his soul and its whims no matter how enticing the seduction was because of his fear of Allah. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, [He said, ‘I seek protection from Allah. Indeed, he is my master, who gave me honorable lodging. Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed.] [Surah Joseph:23] Ibn al-Qayym, may Allah have mercy on him, eloquently described the allurements that Joseph̓ steadfastly faced and overcame. He wrote, ‘Allah, Exalted be He, narrated about the position that Joseph attained by his patience, chastity, and fear of Allah though no one could remain patient before the affliction that he was afflicted with except those whom Allah bestowed patience. It is a fact that the desire to do something depends on the strength of the motive and the absence of the obstacle before it. The motive, in the situation of Joseph with the wife of the Aziz, was very strong for many reasons, among which are the following:
First, Allah has put natural inclination and attraction between men and women just like a thirsty person inclines to drink water, and a hungry person yearns to eat food. Some men may be patient with deprivation of food and drink, but they cannot be patient with not having sexual relations with women, which is not blameworthy as long as it is satisfied through lawful means.
Second, Joseph was young when Aziz’s wife sought to seduce him. It is known that young people’s sexual desire is strong.
Third, Joseph was a bachelor and had no wife with whom he could satisfy his sexual desire.
Fourth, Joseph was in a foreign country. A stranger usually feels free to do whatever he wants like satisfying his sexual needs, unlike a person who lives in his hometown.
Fifth, Aziz’s wife was beautiful and wealthy; each of these qualities is attractive for any man to have sexual relation with her.
Sixth, Aziz’s wife was the one who strongly sought to have sexual relation with Joseph. By doing so, she relieved him of the burden of humiliation to agree to satisfy his desire; rather, she was the humiliated one in this situation and Joseph was the honored and desired one. Many people lose the desire for a refusing and rejecting woman, and some people are attracted by the refusal and rejection of a woman and even love her more and more. In this situation, she was the desiring one.
Seven, the attempt for seduction took place in the house of Aziz’s wife and under her authority and control. Thus, if Joseph did not comply with her orders, he would fear for himself of her revenge.
Eighth, Joseph would not fear that she might tell any of her acquaintance of the matter, as she was the one who sought this relationship and exerted her efforts to have it.
Ninth, Joseph, before people, was the slave of Aziz’s wife. He could freely and easily accompany her without fear of any blame.
Tenth, Aziz’s wife sought the help of the leaders of cunning, i.e. women. She showed him to them and complained to them about her condition. On the other hand, Joseph sought help from Allah, Exalted be He.
Eleventh, Aziz’s wife threatened Joseph with imprisonment and humiliation, which is considered some kind of compulsion because she was able to do so.
Twelfth, this woman’s husband, the Aziz of Egypt, did not show whatsoever jealousy. The most reproachful statement that he said to Joseph was that he ordered him to ignore the matter, and asked his wife to ask Allah for forgiveness.
Though all those strong causes were present, Joseph chose to fear Allah and be imprisoned.’
• The surah speaks about how Joseph invited people to worship Allah alone, i.e. the story of the prisoners. [O my two fellow-prisoners! Is worshipping many gods better, or worshipping Allah, the One, the Subduing? You worship none besides Him but names that you and your fathers have named. Allah has not given authority to them. True judgment belongs only to Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the right religion, but most people do not know. [Surah Joseph:39-40]
• The surah refers to the patience that Joseph observed. It also mentions how he sought protection from Allah, favoring imprisonment over freedom and seduction.
• The surah narrates about some of Joseph’s capabilities to wisely manage the affairs of Egypt during the famine.
• The surah speaks about self-esteem and noble ethics that Joseph enjoyed as he refused to leave the prison before proving his innocence though the king asked to meet him.
• The surah narrates about how Joseph pardoned his brothers. He even did not blame them for what they did with him; rather, he attributed their act to the incitement of Satan.
• The surah mentions how Joseph was faithful to his family that he ordered his brothers to bring them to Egypt and how he thanked Allah for all His blessings.
• Surah Joseph narrates about Jacob. It refers to his patience that was not accompanied by complaining except to Allah, his reliance on Allah, his certainty that Allah would bring back his sons to him, and how he did his best to protect his sons from the danger of envy while completely depending on Allah.
• Surah Joseph elaborately speaks about Joseph’s brothers. It refers to how they were jealous of him, conspired to get rid of him, and their regret in the end for what they did with their father and Joseph.
• Surah Joseph narrates about Aziz’s wife, showing how the condition of a woman becomes when she loves. It refers to how she used whatever means she could have to satisfy her desire even if she broke all psychological or social rules, and even if these means contradict natural human disposition, i.e. a woman usually is sought by men and not vice versa.
• Surah Joseph briefly speaks about the Aziz of Egypt that is commensurate with his role and his cold reaction towards his wife’s unprecedented conduct.
• Surah Joseph briefly refers to the king of Egypt then, and the environment of society during his reign that allowed imprisonment of an innocent person to please the whims of wild souls.
No comments:
Post a Comment